As President Obama increases scrutiny of military gear handed out to local police, the state Attorney General’s Office says that New Jersey’s participation in a key Defense Department program is under review but stressed that it hasn’t received any criticism of how the surplus equipment has been used.

AP FILE PHOTO

Acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman

"Since the inception of the 1033 program in New Jersey, there have been no reported allegations of misuse or even alleged misuse of the de-commissioned equipment,” said Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for the attorney general. “To the contrary, some of that equipment has been used to save lives during Superstorm Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene, including some of the very vehicles highlighted in some recent press accounts."

Still, Loriquet said, the state is taking a look at the program, which came into the national spotlight recently amid criticism of the heavily armed police response to protesters in Ferguson, Mo. It also took center stage in Bergen County with the Sheriff’s Office’s plans to acquire two armored vehicles through the program.

Some New Jersey lawmakers have also raised concerns about the military gear, including Senator Nia Gill, who recently wrote to acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman of the state’s involvement in the program.

“We’re reviewing it,” Loriquet said. “We’ve asked the state police to provide a full comprehensive accounting and detail on its history. So yes, we are reviewing it.”

New Jersey has received equipment valued at more than $31 million since it began participating in the 1033 program in 2006, Loriquet said. Some $17.6 million was dispersed last year and an additional $10.79 million so far this year. That’s up from $251,000 during 2006. The Office of Emergency Management oversees the program in New Jersey, he said.

New Jersey counties have received hundreds of automatic rifles, as well as armored vehicles, night-vision binoculars and even a grenade launcher through the program, according to data provided by the Defense Logistics Agency. A spokeswoman for the agency says local police departments have received equipment valued at $5.1 billion. The items include office equipment, blankets and high-powered weapons.

In Bergen County, the plan by Sheriff Michael Saudino to acquire two armored military surplus vehicles known as MRAPs — mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles – has caused controversy but is apparently proceeding. The acquisition was approved toward the end of July, before the Aug. 9 shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson by a white police officer, subsequent protests, and criticism of the militarized response by local police.

David Martinez, a spokesman for the sheriff, said Monday that the office was unaware of any impact President Obama’s recent order would have on the acquisition. The department expects to be transporting the vehicles to Bergen County from Colorado sometime next month; the president just recently ordered a review of federal programs that supply military equipment to police departments.

“We haven’t heard anything,” Martinez said, “and until we do it’s all according to schedule.”

On Friday, Gill wrote to Hoffman about the 1033 program, the type of equipment being distributed and its use. She asked for information on the state’s involvement in overseeing the transfers to police, its processes and procedures. She called for a review of the state’s role in the program.

“I recognize that some of the supplies provided under the program may be useful to local departments; however, the equipment transferred includes armored vehicles, a grenade launcher and military-style assault weapons,” Gill wrote. “This is equipment that appears suitable for war zones, not for our neighborhood streets. I absolutely believe that we must review the state’s role in administrating the 1033 program.”

Loriquet said the office is preparing a reply to the letter.

“Again, we haven’t received any criticisms of the equipment being used here in New Jersey,” Loriquet said. “I know the senator was concerned in light of what’s going on in Ferguson and we’re preparing our response for her right now.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., meanwhile, said he recognized the potential use of some equipment in natural disasters, but called for a moratorium pending oversight hearings in Congress.

"While some of this may be used for civilian purposes,” he said, “you have to question whether or not a lot of this material is appropriate for a local police department."

In Bergen County, the bid by the sheriff to acquire MRAPs through the 1033 program – which has distributed hundreds of the vehicles free to law enforcement agencies around the country – has fueled a local debate. The plan was met with criticism by County Executive Kathleen Donovan for what she called the militarization of law enforcement. Donovan has raised concerns including safety, training, maintenance costs — and whether a vehicle originally designed for military use is appropriate for the streets of Bergen County.

The sheriff’s department intends to use one MRAP for parts and would deploy the other in a variety of situations, including serving high-risk warrants, transporting high-risk prisoners, high-water rescue and as a vehicle for the regional SWAT team.

Saudino views Donovan’s concerns as hypocritical – pointing to two armored vehicles now in the fleet of the Bergen County police.

As President Obama increases scrutiny of military gear handed out to local police, the state Attorney General’s Office says that New Jersey’s participation in a key Defense Department program is under review but stressed that it hasn’t received any criticism of how the surplus equipment has been used.

"Since the inception of the 1033 program in New Jersey, there have been no reported allegations of misuse or even alleged misuse of the de-commissioned equipment,” said Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for the attorney general. “To the contrary, some of that equipment has been used to save lives during Superstorm Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene, including some of the very vehicles highlighted in some recent press accounts."

Still, Loriquet said, the state is taking a look at the program, which came into the national spotlight recently amid criticism of the heavily armed police response to protesters in Ferguson, Mo. It also took center stage in Bergen County with the Sheriff’s Office’s plans to acquire two armored vehicles through the program.

Some New Jersey lawmakers have also raised concerns about the military gear, including Senator Nia Gill, who recently wrote to acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman of the state’s involvement in the program.

“We’re reviewing it,” Loriquet said. “We’ve asked the state police to provide a full comprehensive accounting and detail on its history. So yes, we are reviewing it.”

New Jersey has received equipment valued at more than $31 million since it began participating in the 1033 program in 2006, Loriquet said. Some $17.6 million was dispersed last year and an additional $10.79 million so far this year. That’s up from $251,000 during 2006. The Office of Emergency Management oversees the program in New Jersey, he said.

New Jersey counties have received hundreds of automatic rifles, as well as armored vehicles, night-vision binoculars and even a grenade launcher through the program, according to data provided by the Defense Logistics Agency. A spokeswoman for the agency says local police departments have received equipment valued at $5.1 billion. The items include office equipment, blankets and high-powered weapons.

In Bergen County, the plan by Sheriff Michael Saudino to acquire two armored military surplus vehicles known as MRAPs — mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles – has caused controversy but is apparently proceeding. The acquisition was approved toward the end of July, before the Aug. 9 shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson by a white police officer, subsequent protests, and criticism of the militarized response by local police.

David Martinez, a spokesman for the sheriff, said Monday that the office was unaware of any impact President Obama’s recent order would have on the acquisition. The department expects to be transporting the vehicles to Bergen County from Colorado sometime next month; the president just recently ordered a review of federal programs that supply military equipment to police departments.

“We haven’t heard anything,” Martinez said, “and until we do it’s all according to schedule.”

On Friday, Gill wrote to Hoffman about the 1033 program, the type of equipment being distributed and its use. She asked for information on the state’s involvement in overseeing the transfers to police, its processes and procedures. She called for a review of the state’s role in the program.

“I recognize that some of the supplies provided under the program may be useful to local departments; however, the equipment transferred includes armored vehicles, a grenade launcher and military-style assault weapons,” Gill wrote. “This is equipment that appears suitable for war zones, not for our neighborhood streets. I absolutely believe that we must review the state’s role in administrating the 1033 program.”

Loriquet said the office is preparing a reply to the letter.

“Again, we haven’t received any criticisms of the equipment being used here in New Jersey,” Loriquet said. “I know the senator was concerned in light of what’s going on in Ferguson and we’re preparing our response for her right now.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., meanwhile, said he recognized the potential use of some equipment in natural disasters, but called for a moratorium pending oversight hearings in Congress.

"While some of this may be used for civilian purposes,” he said, “you have to question whether or not a lot of this material is appropriate for a local police department."

In Bergen County, the bid by the sheriff to acquire MRAPs through the 1033 program – which has distributed hundreds of the vehicles free to law enforcement agencies around the country – has fueled a local debate. The plan was met with criticism by County Executive Kathleen Donovan for what she called the militarization of law enforcement. Donovan has raised concerns including safety, training, maintenance costs — and whether a vehicle originally designed for military use is appropriate for the streets of Bergen County.

The sheriff’s department intends to use one MRAP for parts and would deploy the other in a variety of situations, including serving high-risk warrants, transporting high-risk prisoners, high-water rescue and as a vehicle for the regional SWAT team.

Saudino views Donovan’s concerns as hypocritical – pointing to two armored vehicles now in the fleet of the Bergen County police.